BATU PAHAT: The Johor state government will follow the lead of the Malaysian National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI) in declaring Group Ikhwan Services and Business (GISB) Holdings' teachings, beliefs, and practices deviant and contrary to Islamic teachings.
State religious affairs executive councillor Mohd Fared Khalid said the Johor Islamic Religious Council (MAINJ) is currently reviewing MKI's decision and has instructed the Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) and the State Mufti Department to carry out a fatwa review process.
He said the findings will then be presented at a MAINJ meeting before being submitted to the Sultan of Johor for royal assent.
"We, on behalf of the state government, are grateful to have received clear guidance from MKI regarding the GISB issue.
"Of course, we will follow this guidance, as Johor is among the states that have yet to issue a fatwa on GISB.
"Once all the processes are completed, I am confident that Johor will make a decision on the matter.
"We wish to express our strong agreement with the fatwa and the decision made by MKI," he said during the MAINJ Bersama Orang Muda "MAINJ Kan Ada" event in Parit Kuda, Semerah, today.
He said the state government requires at least a month to complete the process.
"We need the Sultan's consent, as he chairs MAINJ, before making any decision," he said.
Last Thursday, MKI chairman Datuk Nooh Gadut declared GISB's teachings, beliefs, and practices deviant following a decision made during a meeting held from Sept 24 to 26.
This declaration was based on MKI's satisfaction with the evidence and arguments presented by researchers regarding GISB.
MKI also found that the teachings propagated by GISB CEO Datuk Nasiruddin Mohd Ali, his followers, and any individuals linked to the company, firm, organisation, or group, were deviant and strayed from Islamic teachings.
To date, six states, namely, Penang, Selangor, Sabah, Perlis, Pahang, and Melaka, have declared GISB's teachings deviant following police raids on 20 welfare homes linked to the company last September.